Genetic predisposition to uterine leiomyoma is determined by loci for genitourinary development and genome stability

Abstract

Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are benign tumors that are a major burden to women's health. A genome-wide association study on 15,453 UL cases and 392,628 controls was performed, followed by replication of the genomic risk in six cohorts. Effects of the risk alleles were evaluated in view of molecular and clinical characteristics. 22 loci displayed a genome-wide significant association. The likely predisposition genes could be grouped to two biological processes. Genes involved in genome stability were represented by <i>TERT, TERC, OBFC1</i> - highlighting the role of telomere maintenance - <i>TP53</i> and <i>ATM</i>. Genes involved in genitourinary development, <i>WNT4, WT1, SALL1, MED12, ESR1, GREB1, FOXO1, DMRT1</i> and uterine stem cell marker antigen <i>CD44,</i> formed another strong subgroup. The combined risk contributed by the 22 loci was associated with <i>MED12</i> mutation-positive tumors. The findings link genes for uterine development and genetic stability to leiomyomagenesis, and in part explain the more frequent occurrence of UL in women of African origin.